Breathe Easier: The Link Between Chiropractic and COPD

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By: Sara Butler

Have you ever found breathing harder when hunched over or in a weird position? Of course, you have! That’s because your spine is your body’s core structure, housing and protecting the all-important central nervous system. When it's aligned naturally, your lungs may work better.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious, progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It can severely impact the quality of life, affecting everything from basic daily tasks to long-term health. While chiropractic care can't cure COPD, regular adjustments can help relieve the physical stress that may further restrict breathing. By improving spinal alignment, chiropractic care may reduce tension in the muscles around the lungs, giving your body the support it needs to breathe a little easier.

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It primarily includes two conditions: Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs, are inflammation. It causes long-term coughing and mucus production.

Emphysema occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs become damaged, causing shortness of breath.

What causes COPD?

COPD is predominantly caused by long-term exposure to harmful substances that damage the lungs and airways.

A leading cause of COPD is cigarette smoke, responsible for up to 90 percent of cases. Long-term exposure to smoke due to cigarette smoking irritates the airways and leads to chronic inflammation, eventually damaging the lung tissue. Even non-smokers who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of developing COPD.

Another cause of COPD is exposure to irritants in the air, either due to environmental conditions or occupational situations. Long-term exposure to polluted air, particularly in urban areas, can contribute to lung damage over time.

People exposed to harmful chemicals, fumes, dust, and vapors in the workplace (such as construction workers, miners, or factory workers) are at a higher risk of developing COPD, too.

Indoor air pollution can also occur. In some places, wood, biomass, or coal heat homes or cook. Without proper ventilation, lung irritation and damage can occur.

Another cause is chronic respiratory infections. People who suffer from asthma or chronic lung infections—such as pneumonia or bronchitis—are at a higher risk of developing COPD.

Although smoking is the primary cause, individuals with no smoking history can still develop COPD if they are exposed to other risk factors.

The primary symptoms of COPD

The symptoms of COPD typically develop gradually and worsen over time. Early signs may be subtle, but symptoms become more noticeable and impactful as the disease progresses. Key symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Excess mucus production
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Fatigue
• Cyanosis, or a blue tint to lips, skin, or fingernails
• Unintended weight loss
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet

In the early stages of the disease, symptoms are often mild and may be seen as usual or due to a lack of physical fitness. As the disease progresses, the symptoms will become more severe, impacting daily function. That’s why you should talk to a trusted healthcare professional if you’re noticing any symptoms and have risk factors. The earlier you get diagnosed and begin to treat COPD, the better.

How chiropractic care benefits those with COPD

Chiropractic care can offer several benefits for individuals with COPD by improving lung function, reducing symptoms, and enhancing overall well-being. Although chiropractic treatment does not cure COPD, it can be a complementary therapy to traditional medical care, helping to alleviate some of the physical challenges associated with the condition. There are several ways in which chiropractic care can benefit those with COPD and boost other COPD treatments.

Improved lung function — “Misalignment” of the spine, particularly in the upper and mid-back, can interfere with nerve signals to the lungs and respiratory muscles. Chiropractic adjustments to the thoracic spine help relieve pressure on the nerves and improve communication between the brain and lungs, potentially enhancing breathing efficiency.

Enhanced chest mobility — Chiropractic care can improve spinal alignment and joint function, increasing the mobility of the rib cage and chest muscles. This may lead to better lung expansion, allowing individuals to take deeper breaths and improve oxygen intake.

Relaxation of breathing muscles — COPD often leads to tightness in the chest, back, and neck muscles due to labored breathing. Chiropractic adjustments and techniques, such as soft tissue therapy, can help relax these muscles to make deep breathing easier.

Improved posture — Poor posture, especially slouching or rounded shoulders, can compress the lungs and restrict airflow. Chiropractic care may help correct postural imbalances, allowing for more effective lung expansion and improved breathing capacity.

Nervous system support — Chiropractic adjustments can reduce nervous system interference caused by joint dysfunctions in the spine. By optimizing nerve function, chiropractors help improve the regulation of oxygen flow and circulation throughout the body, which is crucial for those with COPD who may have compromised lung function.

Alleviating shortness of breath — Chiropractic care may reduce the intensity of shortness of breath episodes by improving spinal alignment and lung function.

Easing fatigue — Many COPD patients experience significant fatigue due to the effort of breathing. Chiropractic care helps promote overall physical relaxation and enhanced energy levels, reducing fatigue.

Relief from chest, back, and shoulder pain — COPD often leads to pain or discomfort in the chest, back, and shoulders due to constant coughing and the extra effort required to breathe. Chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and stretching techniques can relieve musculoskeletal pain in these areas.

Chronic pain reduction — Chiropractic care may help manage chronic pain associated with COPD by releasing tension in muscles and joints, improving overall comfort.

Better mobility — COPD often limits physical activity. Still, chiropractic care may improve mobility and range of motion in the spine and other joints, making it easier to move and perform daily activities.

Exercise support — Chiropractic adjustments and recommendations for stretches and exercises could improve exercise tolerance, which is crucial for maintaining lung health in COPD patients.

Emotional support — COPD can lead to anxiety and stress, particularly around breathing difficulties. Chiropractic adjustments have been found to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, promote relaxation, and help to manage stress.

Breathing exercises — Chiropractors may recommend breathing exercises to help COPD patients manage anxiety, improve breathing efficiency, and increase relaxation.

Holistic approach — Chiropractic care can effectively complement pulmonary rehabilitation programs, which aim to improve lung function and physical fitness in COPD patients. Regular chiropractic visits can help enhance the benefits of rehabilitation exercises by improving spinal alignment and reducing physical tension.

Better daily functioning — Chiropractic care could help people with COPD perform everyday activities with less discomfort by improving mobility, posture, and muscle function.

Holistic wellness — Chiropractic care often incorporates lifestyle and wellness advice, including diet, exercise, and stress management, to help support overall health for those with COPD.

These benefits make chiropractic care a valuable complementary therapy for long-term COPD patients, supporting their physical and emotional well-being.

The doctors at The Joint Chiropractic treat the whole person, not just one disease. If you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chiropractic may help you improve your quality of life and maybe help you breathe a little easier along the way.

The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this page, is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise, and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.